PKL 5 will allow us to expand our viewer base and build fan loyalty: U Mumba CEO Supratik Sen 

WITH JUST A LITTLE more than two weeks to go for the fifth season of the Star Sports Vivo Pro Kabaddi, CEO of U Mumba Supratik Sen shares his insights on the business aspects of running the team. Supratik speaks about sponsorship, operations and benefits of an extended season ahead of the fifth edition of the league. Transcript below:
 
On U Mumba having a stronger sponsorship bargaining power:

“Our aim has always been to be a professionally run and consistently performing side, and having done that across 4 previous seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League, I do consider ourselves amongst one of the top Kabaddi teams. We also have been Champions in Season Two and finalists twice, which makes us a winning side. The combination of professionalism and being a winning side through previous seasons, ensures that we bring high value to our sponsor association.”

On operational advantages of an extended season:

“Any evolved league in the world, runs between 6 to 10 months and this extended leagues is a positive development for the team and the players. But the extended league also has us developing a new strategy for the increased number of games, while continuing to pursuing excellence while also accommodating for player and team fatigue.”

On viewership of a lengthened season:

“In 2016 we had two Pro Kabaddi seasons and through that year there no was dip in interest in the sport, as seen by TV ratings and ticket sales. Every prominent global sporting league is played across 6 to 10 months and we have noticed an appetite for the sport and don’t see viewer and fan fatigue at all. In fact, we see an extended seasons allowing us to create an expanded viewer base and build fan loyalty.”

On U Mumba's approach this season:

“As a team, we’ve always tried to take a different approach to everything we do. This season too is no different in terms of our approach. Our pre-season training camp kicked off in Dehradun closer to Mussoorie in the first week of June. This camp site is an ideal location for a training boot camp as it allows for altitude training. Being cut-off from the city helps keep the focus completely on training.”

On financial sustainability of Pro Kabaddi

“Given how the league is structured, it allowed for franchises to be financially sustainable right from season 2. And the continuous growth of the league in terms of viewership has definitely ensured that sponsors too are continuing to stay invested in the sport – with more brands/categories also looking to invest in Kabaddi. A longer season will also be a boost for franchises as it increases potential for teams to increase their on all revenue fronts or revenue buckets.”

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